Hello everyone. I’m back with bag full of memories. Memories of the family pilgrimage.
It was one crazy trip n terms of traveling we have done. We travelled almost 3500 km. within a week and covered six  Jyotirlingam temples of Lord Shiva, started from western India, travelled towards south India ( Andhra Pradesh) and finally touched north India ( Dehradun, Uttaranchal), then came back to Maharashtra.  We also took a holy dip in sacred river Godavari at Nasik on the occasion of MahaKumbh festival.
We were on roads for seven days, drove around 500 km daily, travelled by A.C. coach bus, planes, and even trains. We hired SUV to move on roads within our state and as we moved towards south we had to travel by plane to save on time. I was too tired to do anything once we reached home. I slept and kept on sleeping……. till I felt recharged. My husband, Tarun thought I have turned into a sort of flangiprop who has always this abrupt feeling of sleepiness. I have been eating my meals, doing some essential things and again going off to sleep…lol
The trip was basically was a gift to parents from my side. My dad was jubilant  since he has seen all the 12 jyotirlinga temples by the end of the trip. A great achievement for a devotee ! Here is a brief introduction of temples I visited.Â
What are Jyotirlingam/ jyuotilinga ?
A Jyotirlinga or Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a devotional object representing the Supreme God Shiva. Jyoti means ‘radiance’ and lingam the ‘Image or Sign’ of Shiva; Jyotir Lingam thus means the The Radiant Sign of The Almighty Siva. There are twelve traditional Jyotirlinga shrines in India.
Worship of shivalinga is considered the prime worship for the devotees of Lord shiva. Worship of all other forms is considered secondary. The significance of the shivalinga is that It is the resplendent light (flame) form of the Supreme – solidified to make the worship of It easier. It represents the real nature of God – formless essentially and taking various forms as It wills.
The Twelve Jyotirlinga Temples
This jyoti swarUpa of God exist in all the shivalinga forms, there are prominent abodes across Indian subcontinent, where It is in a splendid form. These are renowned as dvAdasa jyotir lingas or 12 jyotirlingas. These are held at much great esteem since the ancient pre-historic times. purANas talk in many sections as well as in detail about the glory of these abodes. Devotees have been getting pulled towards these kshetras due to the highly benevolent divine presence in these abodes, since ancient times.
Mahadev, the Lord incorporates in Himself, the aura and the holiness of all the twelve JyotirLingas. The grandeur of these places is unique. Devotees line up in great numbers to take a look and get a Darshan of all the JyotirLingas.
source:Â http://www.shaivam.org/siddhanta/sp/spjyoti.htm
Out of 12 I have been to nine and three are still remaining those I will visit soon.
Though photography is prohibited in most of the temples but I managed to capture few pics since I had carried my mobile phone till outer campus before depositing my purse and bag. I will share more pictures of the journey. Right now I m sorting them out.
